30th Street Craft Market Featured Artist: As The Crow Flies & Co.

As the Crow Flies & Co. are Mike & Wilder Scott-Straight. They make jewelry and children’s clothing respectively with a fresh vintage look. We search through flea markets and thrift shops to find china and unique children’s clothing. Mike finds just the right images to use from the china for necklaces and earrings, he also makes stained and painted glass earrings. Mike has been making stained glass jewelry for over 20 years, but just recently found his newest passion in china plates. They always were avid flea marketers and their house has always been full of wonderful vintage goods. About 5 years ago Wilder sadly broke a calendar plate from 1910. Mike (always the loving husband) decided to turn it into jewelry for her and a new interest in china turned into a new and exciting art form for him that expanded into where we are now.

Mike spends a lot of time thinking about what he should cut, trying to evoke a feeling or story. There can be so much history and meaning to the dishes already, now discarded. The stories that they hold from the makers, weather it be an actual scene to step into or a tender or sweet, peaceful or powerful feeling are what Mike looks to find and share. Architecture, boats, birds, and fine floral pattens are what he’s drawn to the most for his images. The search for the plates themselves, the conversations he has with the many interesting characters who own the junk shops, and operate the flea market stands, and delving into the history of the pottery companies is also quite inspiring to him.

Wilder embellishes gnomes, owls and bikes (to name a few) on shirts, overalls and dresses to add some whimsy and hand-sews “twirl” skirts from vintage style fabrics.

Wilder had always vended alongside Mike and helped with the running of things. When their daughter was born Wilder decided it was time to learn to sew. With a new (cheap) machine, some helpful advice from friends and some easy patterns she taught herself, 4 years later she’s a happy and somewhat confident seamstress with a slight obsession with designer fabric.

Wilder finds inspiration first and foremost from her daughter and the learning and creating process they share. Seeing the beauty of the world from a child’s eyes is truly amazing. For clothing (and life) inspiration she loves: most things vintage, little house on the prairie, folktales, kids clothes in the 1920s (and the turn of the century), pirates, circus performers, Astrid Lindgren, the natural world intertwined with the seasons. Check out her pinterest for more of her inspiration.

Mike & Wilder also collaborate with VIX Emporium to organize and produce GO WEST! Craft Fest, West Philly’s thrice-yearly celebration of local art & craft. The Spring Fest is returning to The Woodlands Historic Mansion, Cemetery & Landscape at 40th & Woodland, Saturday, April 20 from 11-5. It will be the biggest and best Fest yet, with local artisan vendors, food, live music, children’s activities and acrobatic performers. Vendor applications are available now for the April Fest; the deadline to apply is February 28. We hope to see you there!